Realities of Mortality: Are Your Firearms in Your Will?

[Geno]

Last week, I underwent a 6.5 hour neurosurgery. In preparation for that risky procedure, I started well-ahead, making preparations and assurances for both my daughter and my wife. Most important, the preparations were for my peace-of-mind…that my desire would be carried out with no interventions by family, friends, agencies or courts.

How many of you have a detail of your firearms collection, firearms accessories and sporting goods that you own detailed and included in your will? Specifically regarding the firearms, have you included the make, model, finish, serial number, associated accessories, cost at purchase and replacement worth? In addition, are there color photographs of all of the firearms, accessories, supplies, the supply of ammunition, etc? Have you detailed who is to receive each (all) firearms, and when (at what age)? If your child is to receive them, have you detailed that the child is not to be pressured, encouraged or influenced into selling, trading or using the items as loan collateral, etc? Have you detailed who will store, save-guard and insure the firearms, etc. until the child is legally able to take possession?

For my part, I have. All of these details and much more were included into the will. Even though my daughter is only 12 years old, she too signed it along with my wife, as proof that all understand my expectations. Think about this…do you want some judge sitting on his Anna Nicole throne telling your minor child what the poop he or she wants? Seems to me that the purpose of a will.

Just my thoughts,

Doc2005

 

[Art Eatman]

Listing of firearms might be okay if there is possessiveness among several offspring or relatives. A probated will becomes public record, SFAIK.

Otherwise, just specify "personal property" to go to some appropriate person.

Some things, I guess, you make a point of giving them away ahead of time. That way you can enjoy the recipient's enjoyment.

Art

 

[Euclidean]

My father specified my mom should inherit all his personal property, which she did, but he also left her a letter to be opened in the event of his death. In that latter he detailed his wishes for his firearms. He wished them all to remain off paper.

Naturally we sold/destroyed them all and no longer have them, having no use for such things.

Edit: For my part, only one human being has the combination to my RSC, etc. If something happens to me he gets the mother load, because I quite frankly do not trust anyone else to inherit them at this point. I'm sure he'll just get rid of 'em all of course, no one in my family would have use for such things.

 

[Dorryn]

I plan on living forever, and so far, so good.

 

[GRB]

My wife gets everything as per my will, if she is alive,; if not my children get everything. That includes my firearms, no need to document them for that purpose. I do have them documented for another purpose though, insurance.

All the best,
GB

 

[BADUNAME13]

I have done what is detailed in post #3. For the same reasons.

 

[TMM]

i'm only 16, but i plan on making a will within a few years, you know, once i have some things of relative importance. never know when you could get hit my a car, mugged, etc. S happens.

however, when i'm older[like 70,80 or so, whenever i die], i don't know what will be done with my guns - wife, providing she's still around. but she won't have that much more time. i don't plan on having kids, if i do, the problem's solved, but if i don't, well, i don't know. i'll probably have them donated to some place i trust.

~tmm

 

[Geno]

Clarify Why

I should have clarified my rationale. My 12-year-old daughter is 100% pro-RKBA as-well-as 100% pro-hunter. She loves shooting, hunting, looking at firearms, etc. My wife (who grew up under a Chilean dictator), does not bother me about firearms purchases, because she gets equal funds to what I spend. However, being a hyper-protective mother, she is NOT pro my daughter having firearms, or hunting. Too, she has the Latin-mindset that girls should paint their nails, wear fluffy dresses, and pass the day talking about boys while they braid each other’s hair.

So, my little Tomboy loves her firearms, which legally I still own, but which are, as she knows, all hers...100% of every firearm I own, is hers when she turns the legal age...18 in Michigan. To assure that all concerned know her expectations, my expectations, etc, I set it to paper. Were my intent undeclared, my wife would sell them, trade them, or coerce or pester my daughter into selling them. As my daughter says, "I'll never sell my firearms…every time someone does, they lose money. Especially, I would never sell my first pistol...my Bearcat!"

Doc2005

 

[Neo-Luddite]

My kids have title already--I'm merely taking care of them until they become of age.

 

[GreenFurniture]

I'm being buried with mine.

 

[lee n. field]

How many of you have a detail of your firearms collection, firearms accessories and sporting goods that you own detailed and included in your will?

Nope. I figure those kids that are interested (at least one daughter, enough for all) will filter through the stuff. Total value of guns is two or three thousand, maximum value of any piece is $400-ish.

 

[gbran]

I'm not married, but have 4 very responsible adult children. Each of my kids have an envelope with instructions to open upon my death. I also have a will. The guns are dealt with in the envelopes.

 

[Turkey Creek]

Everything is listed and detailed, along with the safes' combinations, in the bank safety deposite box- Will says the collection and all associated items goes to my grandson, when he comes of age, and is to be held in trust in it's entirety by his father until that time if I bite the big one before- Only my wife and son in law have the combinations to the vaults- Hopefully I've done everyting I can to ensure my wishes when I'm worm food

 

[Geno]

Informed-decisions...

Turkey Creek:

Just about exact efforts!

Last evening my wife and I were discussing this topic, and in fact this post. She asked, "Why can't (our daughter) sell the firearms if she wanted?"

I answered, "She can...when she's 21 years old. Until then, she isn't old enough to avoid selling them without undue financial pressure or family's/friends' influence to sell them. By age 21, for certain, she will be old enough to make 'an informed decision'. Why 21? That is the age, in Michigan, at which an adult can buy a pistol without it being bought first by their parent."

To this my wife merely smiled.

Doc2005

 

[g5reality]

Doc,

Wishing you health and a long life. Good luck with the surgery. Prayers & Wishes.

 

[TooTaxed]

Be careful. In Canada the national legislature has decreed that only people who have received a Firearms Permit Card issued by the government after a long, expensive process may own, use a firearm, or even purchase ammunition. Unless the heirs of a will have this card, guns left by will are confiscated by the government without compensation.

It is illegal for a father to loan a shotgun for hunting to his child unless that child has the Firearms Card. (The card must be shown in order to get a hunting license anyhow.)

It can happen here...watch proposed legislation carefully, and take action.

 

[Geno]

Thanks g5reality

g5reality:

Thanks. I ahd the surgery last Thursday. The surgery went great! I went to the Cleveland Clinic, and was back home by 10:30 a.m. on the second day following the procedure! Not bad for following a 6.5 hour neurosurgery, is it? Prayers are always welcome too.

Again, thanks!

Doc2005

 

[CU74]

Don't forget probate.

As Art Eatman pointed out, a probated will becomes public record.

My guns are in my will - listed only as "Firearms Collection". Under probate, an Inventory and Appraisement form must be filed with the court. You might want to check your state laws and be sure that a "Collection" can be listed in the Miscellaneous Personal Property section without itemizing the collection.

 

[Lupinus]

I'm only 21 so I don't really have much to speak of that needs much worrying about if a little comet were to fall from the sky. However my reasoning is pretty basic. A few things I don't mind detailing goes to who they go to in a legally binding will. The rest goes to one person who knows where the items I don't want to detail go. Those wishes of course aren't legally binding, but anyone I can't trust enough to follow my final wishes just because they aren't legally binding doesn't need to worry about being included in them.